Is black mold in my apartment my landlord's responsibility?« Back to Previous Page

In the UAE, particularly in humid coastal areas like Jumeirah, the responsibility for black mold remediation is typically dictated by the cause of the moisture. Under standard Dubai rental laws (Law No. 26 of 2007), the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the property. Since the mold is on an external wall and has proliferated due to recent humidity, the root cause is likely a breach in the building envelope—such as water seepage through cracks or faulty external waterproofing. This is unequivocally the landlord's responsibility to investigate and repair.

However, tenant responsibilities include maintaining adequate ventilation to mitigate the high ambient humidity, which is a constant challenge in Dubai. The persistent use of air conditioning is essential to control condensation, and failure to do so can sometimes shift liability.

For a definitive answer, a professional inspection is critical. We use thermal imaging and moisture meters to distinguish between construction defects and condensation issues. Attempting to clean it yourself is not advised, as improper removal can aerosolize toxic spores and the mold will simply return if the moisture source is not addressed.

I strongly recommend you formally notify your landlord of the issue and request a professional assessment. For a certified inspection and remediation report that complies with Dubai Municipality standards, you can contact our specialists at Saniservice. Call 800-MOLDS (800-66537) or email hello@saniservice.com to schedule a survey.